Eye Problems and Diabetes

If you are Diabetic and notice blurred vision , Don’t neglect at the same time don’t buy a new pair of glasses immediately. Visit your ophthalmologist  just be a temporary eye problem that develops rapidly with diabetes and is caused by high blood sugar levels. High Blood Sugar levels causes the lens of the eye to swell, which changes your ability to see. To correct this kind of eye problem, you need to get your blood sugar back into the target range, It may take as long as three months after your blood sugar is well controlled for your vision to fully get back to normal.  Blurred vision can also be a symptom of more serious eye problem with diabetes. The three major eye problems that people with diabetes may develop and should be aware of are Cataracts, Glaucoma, and Retinopathy.

Cataracts :

A cataract is a clouding or fogging of the normally clear lens of the eye. The lens is what allows us to see and focus on an image just like a camera. Although anyone can get cataracts, people with diabetes get these eye problems at an earlier age than most and the condition progresses more rapidly than in people without diabetes.If you have a cataract, there is a cloudy area in the lens of your eye that results in the inability to focus light, and your vision is impaired. Symptoms of this eye problem in diabetes include blurred or glared vision.During cataract surgery, the cloudy lens is removed or cleaned out and replaced by a clear man-made lens.

Glaucoma :

When fluid inside the eye does not drain properly from a build up of pressure inside the eye, it results in another eye problem with diabetes called glaucoma. The pressure damages nerves and the vessels in the eye, causing changes in vision.Treatment of this eye problem in diabetes can include special eye drops, laser procedures, medicine, or surgery. Surgery and laser treatments are directed at improving the eye's aqueous drainage. You can prevent serious eye problems in diabetes problems by getting an annual glaucoma screening from your eye doctor.

Diabetic Retinopathy

The retina is a group of specialized cells that convert light as it enters though the lens into images. The eye nerve or optic nerve transmits visual information to the brain. Diabetic retinopathy is one of the vascular (blood-vessel related) complications related to diabetes. This diabetes eye problem is due to damage of small vessels and is called a "microvascular complication. "Kidney disease and nerve damage due to diabetes are also other microvascular complications. Large blood vessel damage (also called macrovascular complications) includes complications like heart disease and stroke. The microvascular complications have, in numerous studies, been shown to be related to high blood sugar levels. You can reduce your risk of these eye problems in diabetes complications by improving your blood sugar control. Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in industrialized nations. The duration of diabetes is the single most important risk for developing retinopathy. So the longer you have diabetes, the greater the risk of this very serious eye problem. If retinopathy is not found early or is not treated, it can lead to blindness.

Preventing Eye Problems With Diabetes

The American Diabetes Association offers these eye care guidelines for people with diabetes to help prevent eye problems:

·         People with type 1 diabetes should have a dilated eye exam by an ophthalmologist or optometrist within three to five years after diagnosis.

·         People with type 2 diabetes should have a dilated eye exam by an ophthalmologist or optometrist shortly after diagnosis.

·         Annual eye exams should be done with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes by an ophthalmologist or optometrist; more frequently if necessary.

·         When considering pregnancy, women with a history of diabetes should have an eye exam prior and during pregnancy. This does not pertain to women with gestational diabetes.

To prevent eye problems in diabetes, you should:

·         Control your blood sugar

·         Control high blood pressure

When to Contact Your Doctor About Eye Problems in Diabetes

If you have diabetes, contact your doctor about any eye problems in if any of the following occur:

·         Black spots in your vision.

·         Flashes of light.

·         "Holes" in your vision.

·         Blurred vision.

Diabetes & Your Feet

Diabetes affects the circulation and immune systems, which in turn impairs the body’s ability to heal itself. Over time, diabetes can damage sensory nerves (this is known as “neuropathy”), especially in the hands and feet. As a result people with diabetes are less likely to feel a foot injury, such as blister or cut. Unnoticed or untreated, even small foot injuries can quickly become infected, potentially leading to serious complications.

Daily Foot Care

1.      Wash your feet in warm (not hot) water, using mild soap. Don’t soak your feet, as this can dry your skin.

2.      While your feet are still wet, use a pumice stone to keep calluses under control.

3.      Dry your feet carefully, especially between your toes.

4.      Thoroughly check your feet and between your toes to make sure there are no cuts, cracks, ingrown toe nails, blisters etc. Use a hand mirror, to see the bottom of your feet, or ask someone else to check them for you.

5.      Clean cuts or scratches with mild soap and water, and cover with a dry dressing suitable for sensitive skin.

6.      Trim your toenails straight across and file any sharp edges. Don’t cut the nails too short.

7.      Apply an un-perfumed foot-care cream lotion  to your heels and soles. Wipe of excess lotion that is not absorbed. Don’t put the lotion between your toes, as the excessive moisture can promote infection.

8.      Wear fresh clean socks and well fitting Footwear every day. Whenever possible wear white socks – if you have any cut or sore, the drainage will be easy to see.

When to see your Doctor

If you have any swelling, warmth, redness or pain in your legs or your feet, see your doctor right-away.

If you have any corns (thick or hard skin on toes), calluses (thick skin on bottom of feet), ingrown toenails, warts or silvers, have them treated by your doctor, or a foot care specialist. Do not try to treat them yourself.

Have your bare foot checked by your doctor at least once a year. In addition ask your doctor to screen you for neuropathy and loss of circulation at least once a year.

Best Advice

Do’s

ü Do wear well fitting shoes. They should be supportive, have low heels and should not rub or pinch.

ü Do wear socks at night , if your feet get cold

ü Do elevate your feet when you are sitting

ü Do wiggle your toes and move your ankles around for a few minutes several times a day to improve blood circulation in your feet and legs.

ü Do inspect your feet daily and in particular feel for skin temperature differences between your feet.

Don’ts

Ø Don’t wear high heels, pointed-toe shoes, or worn out shoes

Ø Don’t wear anything tight around your legs, such as tight socks or knee-highs

Ø Don’t ever go barefoot, even indoors.

Ø Don’t put hot water bottles or heating pads on your feet.

Ø Don’t cross your legs for long periods of time

Ø Don’t smoke. Smoking decreases circulation and healing.

Ø Don’t have pedicure by non-healthcare professionals.

Typical Indian Diet Chart for a Diabetic Person

Based on the general diet queries from our customers, we decided to publish a general diet chart for a Diabetic Person that can be followed. For any specific queries kindly feel free to post your queries in: http://www.diabetesindiastore.com/pages/form, our dietician will answer to your queries. 

General Diet chart

Early Morning - Always start your day with a healthy drink it can be a warm lemon water (without honey and sugars) or just warm water.

Breakfast- 7-8am: 2 Phulka, 1 veg curry / 2 Idli or 1 plain dosa with pudina/tomato/pulse chutney (Avoid coconut and ground nut chutney) / 1 Bowl Wheat Upma or Flakes / 1 Bowl Oats Upma or Flakes / 1 Bowl DalIa / 2-3 Slices Brown Bread Sandwich (Veg Sandwich) and 1 cup Milk (Tonned milk without sugars)

Midmorning - 11am: 1 Fruit / 2 Wheat Biscuits / Ragi Biscuits / Oats biscuits with tea or with Milk.

Lunch - 1-2pm: 2 Cup Rice / 2 Phulka, 1 veg curry, 1 Cup Dal, 1 Plate veg Salad and 1cup Curd

Evening - 5pm: 1 cup veg soup / 1 cup of Sprouts / 2 Wheat Biscuits / Ragi Biscuits / Oats biscuits/ 1cup Tea (without Sugar)

Dinner - 7-8pm: 2 Phulka, 1cup veg curry, dal and a plate of VEG SALAD (Cucumber, Tomato, Onions, Carrot).

FEW THINGS TO REMEMBER
Eating Right food, Right quantity on right time.
Avoid high Carbohydrate foods like White Bread, Sweets or Sweet Dishes, over dry Fruits, Cold Drinks, Fruit Juices.
Avoid fatty foods (Biryani, fried rice, deep fried samosa bajji), ice creams, pastries.
Fruits to Eat - Apple, Sweet Lime, Oranges, Papaya, Watermelon, Guava, Pomegranate, Jamun. (Note: When Sugar levels are Normal you can go for Fruits if no, then, please avoid all fruits).
Always prefer whole fruit avoid Fruit Juices.
Try to eat High Fibre foods like Wheat Items (Chapati, Phulka, Oats, Ragi), sprouts, Fresh whole fruit, Veg Salads.
Include moderate protein and minerals like Pulses (dals), vegetables (except underground veg) every day.
Veg soups and veg salads are very healthy and also it help in reducing your weight.

Walking at least for an hour every day is a must.